Are you cutting your maternity leave short due to money worries?

According to research published today, a third of new mothers are planning to return to work after just six-eight months on maternity leave because of financial pressures - Telegraph article

The survey, which was carried out by MoneySupermarket.com, also shows that one in three expectant mothers will receive only statutory maternity pay.

Justine is quoted in the Metro article on this, she has said "There are all kinds of financial pressures on parents, whether it's the dip in salary whilst on maternity leave or the rising cost of childcare. It's great to budget if you can, but hold fire on buying a multitude of baby products in advance."

What do you think? Does this ring true for you? If you've cut your maternity leave short because you're worried about money, what effect has that had on your home life? And do you think the government's doing enough to support new parents?

waspie I get that, its a personal choice, of course it is, but your post is disingenuous in setting out that people who enjoy their maternity, or who aren't itching to get back to work, are only concerned with nappies and baby weight and didn't use their brain. Thats what I objected to, not that you went back when you did - thats your decision. Just don't insult people who don't make the same choices as you.

Waspie saying that's what suited you is absolutely fine, but you didn't say that first time, was a clear statement that being at home with the baby does not require use of your brain.I often think how long you need to be at home for depends on the baby you get - if you are still up multiple times a night at ten months you may not want to be back at work as soon as someone whose baby slept through at 6 weeks!